China Pickup Sales Rise 16% in May as Exports Hit New High

The China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) released its May 2026 pickup market report on June 15.

Data show that both domestic demand and overseas shipments remained resilient in the second quarter.

National pickup sales reached 61,000 units in May, up 16.3% year-on-year and 2.4% from April, representing the second-highest level for the month in the past five years.

Cumulative sales for the first five months of 2026 totaled 281,000 units, up 8.6% from a year earlier.

Production also maintained growth momentum. Pickup output reached 59,000 units in May, up 14.5% year-on-year, while cumulative production during January-May totaled 280,000 units, an increase of 10.1%.

From a competitive perspective, Great Wall Motor remained China’s largest pickup manufacturer. The company sold 13,628 units in May, although sales declined 12.1% year-on-year.

Meanwhile, brands including Changan Automobile, Zhengzhou Nissan, and SAIC Maxus all posted year-on-year growth exceeding 40%, driven largely by overseas demand, underscoring the growing importance of exports as a sales driver.

China exported 36,000 pickup trucks in May, up 26% year-on-year and 15% from April. Cumulative exports during the first five months reached 150,000 units, an increase of 32%.

More notably, exports accounted for 60% of total pickup sales in May, the first time the ratio has reached that level. By comparison, exports represented around 45% of sales in 2024 and rose to 50% in 2025.

The new energy pickup segment remains in its early stages, though volumes are gradually increasing.

Sales of new energy pickups reached approximately 9,000 units in May, up 20% year-on-year and 24% month-on-month. Cumulative sales for January-May totaled 35,000 units, up 3%.

Among manufacturers, BYD’s pickup exports totaled 4,233 units in May, down 7.4% year-on-year. Cumulative sales for the first five months stood at 16,037 units, down 31%.

In May, Fangchengbao general manager Xiong Tianbo confirmed that BYD’s first new energy pickup, the Shark, will launch in China later this year and will be integrated into the Fangchengbao product lineup.

Meanwhile, Geely Radar continued its growth trajectory. The brand sold 2,318 units in May, up 47.9% year-on-year, while cumulative sales in the first five months reached 8,511 units, an increase of 38.2%.

Geely previously completed the full acquisition of Radar Auto and plans to incorporate the brand into its “China Star” pickup business to unify product development and overseas expansion.